For those who love small streams, wild trout, and life...in their simplest form

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

A Day With Mr. Hewett's Skater

Ed Hewett's Neversink Skater...here are a couple of them tied as close to the originals. They are tied on number 14 and 16 hooks with some very large hackle. Now that they're tied I was obligated to see just how they would fish. In the back of my mind the thought was they were going to flip up and not look very appealing to the trout, but to my surprise they landed just fine for most of the time. Yesterday was a cloudy day and that was a blessing as it helped me move a little easier without getting spotted, at least that's what I thought....man are brook trout cautious.

As I finally busted through the wall of briars and reached the stream. There were parts of darkness and parts of light. I tossed the thermometer into the stream the reading was a cold 56 degrees.

This stream is one of long pools some of which are deep, and then sections of riffles. There are undercuts all over, some caused by the stream banks, and some of thick brushed bank side foliage. It was in these pools that I first floated the Skater. The cast was made and the big fly could be seen just barely moving in the slow current. The fly made its drift with out a strike. Several more casts and the same result. I then let the fly drift to a likely holding spot and let the fly just sit. About 10 seconds later I just twitched the fly and an underwater explosion took place.

I could see the brook trout racing from side to side frantically trying to toss the Skater. I was to win out this time and as I slid my hand under his side I was able to lift him and capture his beauty.

I could see trout holding in center stream but when they felt my threat they took to the thick stuff along the banks, and that's where I tried to place the skater.

Most times that action worked.

The Skater required lots of time to dry, especially after a few fished were hooked, I had several so that was not a problem....the problem is getting a fly box big enough to hold the large flies.

A very interesting run, a little bend, lots of cover and quite deep. Looks like a place that may hold a fish. This time it did not take several casts to locate the resident. As soon as the fly hit the water it was beaten down in splash of of water. I could feel the heft of the trout and glancing at the rod I knew he was a good one. That fish moved all over that stream and jungle, staying to the bottom for the most part. When I gained the upper hand and managed to bring him alongside of my leg I realized I had a real small stream beauty.

The beautiful male just starting to show his fall colors was a highlight of my day...the other was Hewett's Neversink Skater.

RM LytleThanksRowan it's a wonder I caught anything in there. There is so much silt that when you take a step you find yourself in a sort of a fog bank. Maybe a good rush of high water might eliminate some of it.

Mr Hewitt would be proud. I know mr. Shenk would talk glowingly of skating those. flies at the end of a drift. The most explosive strikes I have ever gotten were on soft hackles and skating flies at the end of a drift, my were usually caddis but skaters employ the same principle. I know one thing you don't soon forget strikes like that . That's one heck of a brook trout for stream that small, congrats .

Brad BasehoreThanksBrad I was researching both versions of the skater, Hewett's and Shenk's....then another name came up "Marinaro" now I'll have to check that out. It's enjoyable though, especially when the trout give a passing grade to the creation.

Alan, well done with the skater most especially tossing it amongst that jungle alongside that stream. All the brookies were beautiful, but that last one is something else...that is a dandy for such a small stream. It looks like it has been eating pretty well. Regards, Sam

I was talking to a buddy just yesterday about spider style flies and then I read this great story from you. Thanks for sharing. I will definitely be trying these flies out. That is a superb small stream brook trout you there at the end btw!

About Me

I have been fishing for more years that I want to say.
Fly fishing since the seventies.
I take the simple approach to fly fishing. Fly fishing need not be complicated.
Take the time to slow down on the water and look to the grand beauty out there in its most simple form.